Page 3 of The Masquerade: Room 2

“Brother! Come and settle our argument.” Flex slings his arm over my shoulder, pulling me toward their table.

“Can I order a drink before you bribe me to pick whatever side of the argument you fall on?”

“Eli!” he shouts. “Send over Pierce’s usual.”

Apparently, there’s no time for niceties this evening. I take a seat alongside some of my friends. Dalton is in with his sub and new wife, Nadia. Flex has his latest sub at the table, and Genevieve seems to be pretty cozy with Ryder tonight.

“What are we all fighting about tonight?”

“Virgins.” Holy shit. I came in at the wrong time.

“Sacrificial? Hypothetical? Or is Flex turning up to freshman dorm parties?”

Flex shoves my shoulder. “Thanks for the support. No, in fact, we were just gagging over the fact that Nad and Dalton popped each other’s cherries back in the day.”

“What? Didn’t you guys just get together?”

“Have you been living under a rock? They’ve known each other their entire lives and were each other’s first.” Dalton bristles at his private life being the topic of discussion. I’m surprised he hasn’t shut it down already.

“So, what’s the question?”

“Do you think virgins can make good submissives? I said no because I’m all about teaching a first-time submissive, but I don’t want to explain the fucking mechanics of sex and hold her goddamn hand through the first time. Way too much pressure and not enough pleasure if you ask me.”

“Okay.”

Dalton continues, “Viv says yes. She likes those virgin boys. Fresh meat.”

I look to Dalton. “And what did you have to say about it?” There’s a hint of laughter in my voice because I can guess his answer.

“I told him to shut the fuck up about Naddie’s cherry before I punch him out.”

Flex just finds it funny, and I stifle my amusement.

“Sounds about right.”

“What about you?” Flex asks.

“As much as I hate to agree with you, Flex, I think it’s a no from me. I don’t want to be holding a woman’s hand through cashing in her V-card. I was clumsy the first time. Collected a few more cards through med school, and I’m not going to lie, they were not my favorite sexual experiences.”

“Okay, but…” Viv interjects, “… think of the potential now that you’re a Dom. It’s different. I get not wanting a one-night stand to be a virgin, but a sub… think how much easier it would be to train a virgin. No bad habits. No expectations. Definitely less bratty to train.” She looks to Naddie with a sly grin. “Sorry, friend.”

Dalton wraps his arm around Nadia, pulling her close. “I love you being a brat, kitten. Viv just can’t tame a sub the way I can.” Genevieve rolls her eyes, laughing as she does.

“Yeah, right. You wish, Master Callaghan,” she says with an overexaggerated flourish in his direction. I’m not touching that argument.

“So, what’s happening? The new floor seems to be a success. Any plans for further expansion?”

Flex jumps in, more animated than I’ve seen him in a while. “Yes! Carter and I are working on plans for a training suite right now. Actually, I wouldn’t mind picking your brain about a few details.”

Now we’re talking. As beautiful as the new floor is, I’m not a voyeur for the most part. I don’t mind dipping my toe in the water once in a while, but I train submissives. They are short-term, and I’m strict. I help newer subs find their hard limits as well as their preferences.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” I exclaim.

“I thought you’d be happy,” Dalton interjects. “Don’t you get tired of training? Training doctors, then training subs in your spare time.”

“Could you picture me as a sub?”

“Fuck, no!” they all say in unison.

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